On Wednesday night in Turin, against some of the world’s best defenders, he could get the chance to seal his deal.

The Irishman is in line for his first Champions League start of the season after his winning goal against St Mirren at the weekend secured Celtic a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Stokes has been nothing more than a spectator during Celtic’s amazing European adventure with injury forcing him to watch the majority of an incredible campaign from the comfort of his own sofa

Six months on the sidelines denied him the chance to play a part in the heroics against Barcelona and Spartak Moscow en route to a last-16 clash with Juventus.

The untimely bout of ankle surgery also prevented the 24-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer, the opportunity to impress boss Neil Lennon and convince him he is worthy of a new deal.

Stokes admits it has been a painful ordeal in more ways than one but he knows a strong performance against the Italian giants will strengthen his hand and help erase the pent-up frustration he’s felt at missing out on so much action.

He said: “It would be nice to get a taste of the Champions League. I was watching it and it was hard when I was out injured. But that’s part and parcel of football.

“I’d been lucky enough throughout my career not to be injured. That’s the first major one I’ve had and it came at a bad time with the big games.

“It has just given me more desire to get back in the team and work as hard as I can.

“It was tough but I’ve been in a similar situation when I wasn’t injured and still wasn’t playing.

“I’ve just got to take it on the chin although during my rehab it just spurred me on if anything. I wanted to come back stronger.

“I watched the games in the house but the boys went on a great run and I was delighted for the team.

“We’re up against it going out there, we all know that. It’s going to be a tough game and tough atmosphere.

“We’ve nothing to lose so we’ll just go out and play as well as we can.”

Asked if he’ll feel under any added pressure to perform as he seeks to win himself a new deal Stokes said: “Not at all. I treat every game the same.

“I don’t try harder in certain games or because my contract is running out. I just play my normal game and that’s what I’ve been doing since I’ve come back.

“When you’re playing at a club like this you always want to perform. The way things are at the minute I need to bounce back from the injury.

“Since I’ve come back I’ve done that. I’m going to work as hard as I can to finish this season off as well as possible.”

The Republic of Ireland hitman has been free to speak with other interested parties since January but despite there being no guarantee of a deal from Celtic it is not an avenue he is interested in pursuing.

He said: “I’ve no intentions of talking to other clubs. I’m happy here and I’m happy in Glasgow.

“I’m enjoying my football. It has been a long few months out and I’m just delighted to be back in the team contributing goals.

“I love the club. I enjoy being here. Playing every week is all I want.

“Since I’ve come here I’ve played the majority of games. That’s all I’ve been looking for. It’s been a very hard season – I’ve had a major injury and been out for six months.

“But I’ve bounced back in the right way and got myself back in the team and scored goals. That’s all I can really do.”

Stokes was signed by Lennon from Hibs in August 2010 for a fee of £1.2million but he knows the fact the manager rated him then does not automatically mean a new deal will be forthcoming now.

Asked how would he feel if there wasn’t an offer he said: “I would move on. That’s football. It happens to managers every week and it’s the same with players.

“I wouldn’t let it affect me. I’d be disappointed because over the past two or three years I’ve contributed to the team.

“I just want to keep working hard and improve as a player.”

Stokes will certainly have to put in a shift if he plays against Juve in midweek.

The Celtic players have their work cut out as they try to eat into the 3-0 first-leg deficit. Most fans and pundits are convinced the tie is already over.

However, Stokes believes the lack of expectation might work to Celtic’s advantage.

He said: “We performed really well in the home leg. We were slightly unlucky to a certain extent.

“It’s going to be a completely different atmosphere and a tough game out there but we’ve got nothing to lose so we’ll give it our best shot.

“We’ve been excellent in Europe this year and proved a lot of people wrong by getting out of the group. This is just another big game for us. We’re so far behind but we’re just going to try to produce a performance and see where it takes us.”

Celtic will at least head to Italy with a degree of momentum having bounced back from last Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Motherwell with an improved display in Paisley.

Stokes’ headed winner ensured another trip to Hampden and got the manager off his back.

Lennon publicly savaged his players following the limp display at Fir Park and was constantly on their case during the 2-1 win over St Mirren.

Stokes added: “There are thousands of fans giving me abuse as well. He just adds to the rest of them!

“It goes in one ear and out the other because you’re just focusing on the game.

“We always wanted to bounce back as we were disappointed with what happened during the week and we got the win in Paisley which was the most important thing.”